Automatic leveler for gravity measuring instruments



March A. K. BIRNBAUM AUTOMATIC LEVELER FOR GRAVITY MEASURING INSTRUMENTS Filed March 2, 1936 awe/14M AKBIRNBAUM.

66mm a m 6.0m

Patented Mar. 7, 1939 l AUTOMATIC LEVELER, FOR GRAVITY MEAS- UBING INSTRUIHENTS August K. Birnbaum, Houston, Tex., assignor of one-half to Horton Tex.

Application March 2,

2 Claims.

The invention relates to an improvement in automatic levelers for gravity measuring instruments. Various types of gravity measuring instruments such as the torsion balance and the gravity meter have been devised in order to measure the gravimetrical pull occurring at various portions of the earths surface and instruments of this type are now being utilized for the purpose of subsurface prospecting to determine 1 the location of valuable deposits.

In the use of such instruments it is imperative that the instruments be maintained in a precisely level position in order to obtain accurate record ings. It has been the practice in the past to l5 build a suitable foundation or platform for such instruments prior to setting up the instrument for use. In localities where there are swamps, as well as in bodies of water of any depth, it has been found to be very diflicult to provide suitable foundations or platforms except at a prohibitive cost and witha great deal of delay.

The present invention has particular adaptation to the use of gravity measuring instruments in the prospecting for oil and gas formations. A

5 majority of this work being carried on at the present time is along the southern boundary of the United States in more or less swampy and water covered sections so that the of platforms is not only tedious and expensive; but

it is next to impossible in a majority'of instances.

With this in mind the present invention has been devised with a view of providing a support for a gravity measuring instrument wherein the instrument will be automatically leveled.

It is one of the objects of the invention toprovide an automatic leveler for gravity measuring instruments so that the building of a platform or support for the instrument is avoided.

Another object of the invention is to provide a combination container and support fora gravity measuring instrument so that the same may be lowered through a body of water and deposited upon the earth's surface in order to obtain the desired readings.

Another object of the invention is to provide a sealed container for a gravity measuring instrument so that the same may be immersed in a body of liquid in orde to obtain a recording.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a universally pivoted mounting for a gravity measuring instrument so that it. may automatically level itself regardless of any inclination of said support.

Other and further objects of the invention will be readily apparent when the following descrip- G. Cockburn, Houston,

1936, Serial No. 66,626

tion is considered in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein:

Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view illustrating the combination container and support with the gravity measuring instrument therein.

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1 and looking instrument. v A

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view form of the invention.

down on the of a modified sides thereof.

These brackets have a base piece 6 and a stub shaft 1 extending laterally therefrom. This'shaft is in turn arranged to support a frame l0 which may take any desired configuration in order to surround the instrument 3.

As here shown, a rectangular frame has been provided and this frame is constructed with the bearing portions II and I2 on the opposite ends thereof in order to be received upon the shafts I.

These bearing portions II and I2 are formed by curving the frame I so that it will fit over the shaft 1 and will be free to rock on the shafts."

In this manner a tilting movement about the shafts 1 as an axis is obtained.

The side portions ll of the frame III are also formed with bearings l5 and [6 which are-on 0pposite sides.

provided forthe instrument.

These bearings are formed by curving the frame l0 and are arranged to receive the trunnions H and II which are fixed to the instrument 3 by means of the plates l8. This allows the instrument to tilt about the studs l1 and III as an axis so that a universal mounting has been It seems obvious that the instrument will automatically seek a level or vertical position regardless of the inclination at which the container is positioned, because of the universal mounting for the frame l0 and the instrument 3 in the frame.

It will be understood that the center of gravity of the instrument 3 is below the pivots so that the instrument will swing by gravity to a vertical' position.

It has been found in practice that ing work can be increased many fold by using an the prospectinstrument which is mounted in this manner,

because the container 2 can be transported readily and merely positioned on the earth's surface in order to obtain a reading.

Ithasbeenthepracticeinthepa'sttobuilda considerable platform or foundation to receive the instrument and to then position a tent or other enclosure about the instrument to keep oi! any vibration due to wind forces and to eliminate as much interference as possible.

The present container acmmplishes all the purposes of both the platform and the tent in the previous practices and can permit the taking of a reading within a very short period of time after the container is deposited on the earths surface.

Where conditions permit, the container 2 can be used in the manner described but under other circumstances it is desirable to close the top of the container to exclude vibration or other disturbances, and with this in mind a cover 20 has been provided. This cover has a downwardly extending flange 2| and extending lugs 22 which are arranged to receive the pivoted bolts 23 carried' by the brackets 24 on the side of the container 2. 'Wing nuts 25 are provided on the bolts 23 in order to anchor the cover securely in position and if desired a seal such as the packing or gasket 26 may be provided around the top of the container 2 in order to insure a complete seal. The instrument can be set and deposited in position and the cover 20 secured. The container can then be positioned on the earth's surface and the recordings accomplished.

Under some conditions it is desirable to obtain recordings from the bottom of a body of water such as a pond, lake, or bay, and with this problemin mind the container 2 is completely sealed and may have suitable eye-bolts it carried by the cover portion 2. in order to receive a rope or cable II. In this manner the instrument can be immersed in the water and lowered to the bottom in order to obtain the desired recordings.

Fig. 3 shows a slightly modified form in which the instrument 3 has been supported from a swivel connection ll carried by the cover 20. The support rods or cables ll are fixed to the instrument by the eye-bolts l2 and the'instrument is free to swing to a level position inside of the container when the container is slightly tilted. The cable 3| is shown attached to diflerent forms of the invention so that it may be lowered through a body of water if desired.

Broadly the invention contemplates an automatic leveler for gravity measuring instruments which can be used in combination with a sealed container to permit the taking of recordings in a body of water, and contemplates that the instrument may be suitably supported to seek a gravitational level.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for making geophysical measurements upon shallow water covered areas of the earth's surface which comprises a torsion balance and a container therefor, means in said container for supporting said balance for tiltin movement so that the instrument will seek a gravitational level, means to seal said container whereby the container may be immersed and deposited upon the earths surface in a submerged area and recordings of gravity measurements obtained, and additional means attached to said container to lower and retrieve the container.

2. The combination with a gravitational instrument of a support therefor including a gimbal joint'arrangement so that the instrument may adjust itself due to gravity so as to reside in a vertical position, a protective shield carrying said support and completely enclosing said meter so as to exclude water when the meter is submerged and to also isolate the instrument from movement of the water, and means to lower and retrieve the shielded instrument through the water.

AUGUST K. BIRNBAUM. 4 

